The Best Affordable Beauty Gifts For The 2023 Holiday Season

There's no doubt that the holiday season can get pricey pretty quickly. Particularly when it comes to gifting. The Conference Board Holiday Spending Survey estimates that Americans plan on spending an average of $654 on holiday gifts in 2023, marking a 6.7% increase compared to the average amount spent in 2022. Not to mention, with so much going on, it can get harder and harder every year to actually pick the ideal present for everyone on Santa's (aka your) list. Particularly when it comes to beauty gifts. It seems like there are so many brands out there all offering something different when it comes to makeup, haircare, or skincare products, and it can be near impossible to actually know when you're getting a good deal or purchasing a product that's actually going to do what it promises.

But that's where we come in to lend a little helping hand. We're taking a look at some of the most affordable beauty gifts available for the 2023 holiday season. We took a look at the offerings from some of the biggest brands out there, all to help you decide what to get your hands on this year without breaking the bank.

To make sure the products we chose were actually affordable, we only selected items priced at $60 (pre-tax) or under. We only considered beauty gifts (that includes makeup items, skincare products, haircare products, and beauty tools) that claim to be worth more than you're actually paying, because we really wanted you to get some great value this holiday season. Not only that, but to make sure our choices were as unbiased as possible, we took into account consumer reviews and ratings for each product, excluding anything listed on a site that doesn't have a rating system or anything that had an average of fewer than four stars. We also considered products that some of our celebs have reviewed and gushed about, so your friends and family members will be getting the real A-list treatment.

We also know it's about availability when it comes to our beauty picks. No one wants to spot a great deal they can't actually snag, right? To combat that, we focused on products from the likes of national stores Ulta, Nordstrom, Macy's, and Sephora to ensure as many people as possible actually have access to all of our choices. So, now we've got all that out of the way, let's go ahead and deck the halls with affordable beauty gifts.

With a value of $104 but a price tag of $44, tarte's Iconic Lashes and Eyeliner Bestsellers Set provides some major savings. This collection available at Sephora includes the brand's Big Ego mascara in black, the Lights, Camera, Lashes four-in-one mascara in black, tarte's Tartelette Tubing Mascara in black (which People named its Best Tubing Mascara of 2023) and the tarteist Double Take dual-ended eyeliner, also in black. One thing we really love about this set is that each piece comes separately. That means you can actually hand them out to different recipients, potentially nabbing gifts for four people for less than $45. No wonder it has an average of five stars when it comes to Sephora reviews!

For $16 at Nordstrom, you can get your hands on two pairs of mini Tweezerman tweezers with this stylish holiday set. The gift pack contains a mini version of the world-renowned brand's iconic Slant Tweezer, plus its Mini Point Tweezer, both in the shade called majestic turquoise. If you bought them separately, the outlet claims that would set you back $25. Not a bad deal on a product "Scandal" star Kerry Washington once told People about, remarking, "I'm obsessed. I don't like to travel without them." Plus, it has 73% five-star reviews on Nordstrom at the time of writing!

Tweezerman's much-loved tweezers aren't the only item from the company that made it onto our gift list. That's because you can also get your hands on the celebrity-loved Tweezerman eyelash curler for your friends and family, too. This $24 set available from Nordstrom has a $28.50 value and contains both the iLashcomb and Classic Eyelash Curler, again in majestic turquoise. Courteney Cox herself told The New York Times' The Strategist she's a big fan of this exact curler, gushing, "It opens really wide, so I can fit all my eyelashes in there at once." Plenty of us mere mortals are clearly fans too, as this set has 85% five-star reviews on Nordstrom's website.

For the person in your life with gorgeous curly locks, Bumble and bumble's Curl Starter Set may make the ideal gift, as it's designed specifically for those with wavy, curly, and coiled hair with a medium or thick texture. Worth a total of $45 but available from Sephora for $29, the set contains the Curl Moisturizing Shampoo, Curl three-in-one Conditioner, and the Curl Reactivator which will help enhance curl, reduce frizz, and increase shine. It's clearly been a hit on Sephora, with reviews averaging four stars at the time of writing.

You've more than likely heard of Kiehl's before, and if you're trying to introduce the brand to a close family member or friend, this could be the way to do it. Kiehl's Stop The Shine Starter Set is worth $73 but is being sold for $52 on Ulta. This collection was created for those who struggle with shiny and oily skin, giving them the chance to try the brand's popular Ultra Facial Cleanser, Niacinamide Pure Serum, and Ultra Facial Oil Free Gel Cream in smaller sizes.

You won't have to break the bank to get your hands on Clinique's Merry Moisture Skin Care and Makeup Set. This $14 set has a $39 value over at Nordstrom, and includes a one-ounce version of the brand's Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer, plus a 0.07-ounce version of the company's Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss in the shade Airkiss Pop. Ever better? This gift set is suitable for all skin types, so you won't need to do any recon about the person you're buying for. At the time of writing, this product had five reviews, all of which gave it five stars. Celeb fans of this brand include Emilia Clarke and Drew Barrymore.

There's a reason NARS' Orgasm blush is such a cult favorite and has been for a while now. According to Harper's Bazaar, Kim Kardashian called this blush her ultimate favorite, while it's thought Meghan Markle actually wore the shade on her wedding day. How's that for an endorsement? Now you can gift a mini version of it via this $27 set from Sephora, which has a $34 value and a 4.1-star rating on Sephora (plus an 83% recommendation rate from reviewers). This holiday collection contains a 0.08-ounce mini version of the iconic blush shade, as well as a 0.11-ounce version of NARS' Mini Afterglow Lip Shine in the same shade.

Makeup fans the world over have more than likely heard of Bobbi Brown's makeup before (as the brand counts Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and Yara Shahidi amongst its celeb fans) making this a must-have product for many. With an average of five stars in Macy's review section, this kit offers eyeshadow and eyeliner all in one collection. Over at Macy's, it's priced at $39 — with a value claiming to be a whopping $110! As for what the kit contains? Bobbi Brown's Luxe Rich Matte Eye Shadow Palette (which holds five neutral and brown shades) plus the company's Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner in the shade Pitch Black.

If you're a beauty and/or reality TV fan, you'll probably know all about how Kylie Jenner's Kylie Cosmetics burst onto the scene with its lip kits. The brand has only gone from strength to strength since then. For 2023, the reality star's brand released this neutral $25 set with a $34 value at Nordstrom, offering a lip liner in the color Diva, alongside a High Gloss Lip Gloss in the color Like. This set is made to be paired together, taking the guesswork out of pairing lip products for the person on your list lucky enough to receive them this season.

Another product the celebrity lover in your life will surely appreciate, Rihanna's Fenty Beauty is offering this collection of three glosses for $42 at Sephora, with a $69 value. The set, which is recommended by 97% of reviewers on Sephora (and has an average of 4.8 out of five stars) includes three full-size gloss bombs in the shades Fenty Glow, Pink Dragonfly, and Glass Slipper Heat. Each is also designed to be universally flattering on different skin tones, making it ideal for many people. The Gloss Bomb formula is already a favorite with a number of famous faces too, including Maya Jama and Molly-Mae Hague.

When it comes to luxury beauty, Yves Saint Laurent may be one of the first brands you think of, which is why this is an impressive collection with solid value for the person in your life who prefers the finer things in life. Priced at $52 but valued at $81 at Sephora, the collection contains a 0.1-ounce Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm in the shade 150 Nude Lingerie (a mauve nude), plus two 0.04-ounce Mini Rouge Pur Couture Satin Lipsticks in the shades Nu Muse (a rich nude) and Rouge Muse (a stunning red). It also comes with a makeup pouch, making it great for gifting. On Sephora, this luxe set has an average of 4.2 stars, proving to be a hit with high-end beauty lovers.

Remember Glow Recipe from "Shark Tank"? No matter if you do or you don't, there's no doubt this company has seen crazy success post-appearing on the ABC show, gaining quite the following across social media. The brand's Smooth Skin Dreams Kit is available for $24 from Sephora, saving you $8 the $32 value, and is a great way to try out the fun brand. You don't even have to know your recipient's skincare needs either to gift this one. The kit is designed for those with normal, dry, oily, and even combination skin, but focuses on toning down visible pores, uneven texture, and blemishes. The value kit contains a 0.5-ounce version of the Strawberry Smooth BHA+AHA Salicylic Serum, plus a 0.33-ounce bottle of Strawberry BHA Pore-Smooth Blur Drops.

It's not just your skin that needs protection from the sun even in the winter months — your lips do, too! This product will help make sure your lips are still protected from damage in the colder months. The $22 set from Nordstrom claims to have a value of $24 and contains three full-size products. As for what you're getting, expect a Shea Butter & vitamin E Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Sunscreen, a full-size Natural Mint & Shea Butter Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Sunscreen, and full-size Pineapple Mint Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Sunscreen. Plus, it comes in a stylish tin that'll be easy to wrap (which is always a plus for us), and an impressive 96% of its reviewers gave it five stars.

If you have an Estée Lauder fan in your life (or you're looking to introduce someone to the brand), chances are they're going to love this kit from the longtime beauty brand leaders. Available from Macy's for $39.50 but boasting a $104 value, it's hard to argue with the numbers on this one. The collection has more than 850 five-star reviews on Macy's website and is a great collection for those looking to brighten up dull skin (which may make it ideal for someone a little more mature). The kit contains some of the brand's most notable products, including its Advanced Night Repair Rescue Solution, Revitalizing Supreme+ Creme, and Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Gel-Crème.

Sephora is offering Milk Makeup's Lip + Cheek MVPs Cream Blush Stick Set, which features two full-size versions of its Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Sticks (which landed a spot on People's list of the 10 Best Cream Blushes of 2023 and is a favorite of Hailey Bieber, by the way). This set offers two different versions and four different shades, which allows you to tailor it to the person you're buying it for. You can either buy the pink and red shades Werk/Smirk or opt for the more neutral terracotta and brownish Quirk/Rally, making the sticks available for a multitude of skin tones. The set has a $48 value over at Sephora but is available for $25, and has an average of four stars when it comes to reviews on the website.

There really is a shade for anyone in NYX's Beneath The Wreath Lip Gloss Holiday Gift Set. Available from Ulta for $60, the set has a value of $84, as it contains 14 full-size versions of the company's popular butter glosses. "The Summer I Turned Pretty" star Lola Tung is a big fan of this gloss, as she told Us Weekly, "I've had many, many NYX Butter Glosses." But she's clearly not the only one, as the item has a 4.7-star rating on Ulta. This holiday collection has a vast array of different shades, from pinks and browns to purples and reds, and also includes a glossy clear shade. Your lucky recipient is sure to find a shade they like, thanks to the vast array of colors on offer.

We know that you need your SPF on hand even in the winter, and this product will help make sure you're still protected from sun damage in the colder months. Shiseido's Everyday Sunscreen and Skincare Set is available from Macy's for $52 (much less than its $98 value) and what could be better than literally helping someone fend off skin damage to keep them healthy and protected all year round? This set from the skincare giant has over 154 five-star reviews and contains the brand's Urban Environment Oil-Free Sunscreen with an SPF of 42, Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, and a White Lucent Brightening Gel Cream. It also comes with a cute pouch to keep them all in, which makes for a great gift.

IT Cosmetics has combined some of its best hydrating products into this Radiance-Boosting Best Sellers Skincare Set. Available at Macy's for $49 (with a $94 value, no less!) this collection is an ideal gift for those who want to bring a little brightness and hydration back to their skin. And it looks like it's worked for many, as this kit has 229 five-star reviews on Macy's website (and another 21 four stars!). As for what your friend or family (or you) can expect? IT Cosmetics Confidence In An Eye Cream, Confidence In A Cream, and the brand's Confidence In A Cleanser.

This set from Benefit comes with a $20 price tag at Nordstrom, but it's actually worth $10 more than that with a $30 value. With an average of five stars when it comes to reviews at the time of writing, this mini treat is a great way to give someone the gift of trying Benefit's much-talked-about mascaras. This collection features a travel-size version of the brand's BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara (which Women + Home once described as a "cult" product!) plus a travel-size version of the Fan Fest Fanning & Volumizing Mascara.

With an $89 value and an average of four stars from reviews, the Styling Sephora Favorites Kit, available from Sephora for $39, offers a range of branded hair products all in one easy-to-wrap package. The set contains eight products from well-known brands in the haircare world, including a 1.6-ounce Moroccanoil Dry Texture Spray, a 1.7-ounce Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment (which Jennifer Lopez's hair stylist, Chris Appleton uses on her locks), plus a 0.67-ounce Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Cream. This collection really does contain a product for almost every hair type and texture.

Speaking of Olaplex, this brand is a huge name in the haircare market — and its holiday collection promoting stronger hair is a big hit at Sephora. With a 94% recommendation rate and 4.7 out of five stars, this collection is sure to be popular for the holiday season. You can get the kit from Sephora for $55 (where it has a value of $75), and is suitable for almost all hair textures, from straight, wavy, curly, or coily, to fine, medium, and thick hair types. The universal gift set offers the brand's No. 3, which repairs, strengthens, and reduces breakage in the hair, a No. 4, which cleanses, hydrates, and softens the locks, and a No. 5 to nourish and reduce frizz, helping to seal any not-so-far-gone split ends.

You may remember when Anastasia Beverly Hills shot on the scene with its game-changing brow products, and this set is a great way to share the brow love. Or keep it for yourself (we won't judge). The company's Laminated Look Brow Set can be bought from Macy's for $12 (down from $24!), giving a great deal on the kit with 36 five-star reviews. It also comes in two shades so that you can customize it for the person lucky enough to receive it, with Dark Brown or Soft Brown both available.

Five full-size makeup brushes worth $80, available on Sephora for $29? Sounds like a pretty good deal to us! Especially when you factor in that these Sephora Collection brushes come recommended by 97% of reviewers with a 4.8-star rating on Sephora. This collection is also a great starter kit for anyone just starting to get into the makeup game, as it offers every type of eye brush a beginner (or even someone more advanced) could need. This collection contains a Shadow Brush, Small Shadow Brush, Crease Brush, Smudge Brush, and a Brow Brush.

MAC Cosmetics has been one of the leading names in makeup for years now, and the company regularly brings out a fun set for the holiday season. One of the best from the brand's 2023 offering is this Lustrelite Lipstick set, which is priced at $25 at Nordstrom with a $45 value. The set has 67% five-star reviews on Nordstrom and is ideal for people who like to give lipsticks a try in smaller testers before committing to a full-size. This collection includes three 0.06-ounce versions of the brand's Lustrelite Lipstick in three holiday-inspired shades and comes in two versions. If you go for the neutral collection (which will look stunning on darker skin) you'll get Getting Warmer, Joy to the World, and Stay Warm. If you buy the Pink version, you'll get Cherry & Bright, Everything's All-Ripe, and Bizarre Bloom.

We certainly love a good pre-Black Friday deal, and this Lancôme gift set is giving us value on value. Macy's is offering Lancôme's Monsieur Big Look Holiday Gift Set at the special pre-Black Friday price of $40.60, much less than its $88 value. The collection has more than 650 five-star reviews, which is little surprise considering how many impressive full-size products it actually contains. The 2023 holiday set includes a full-size Monsieur Big Mascara, a full-size Drama Liqui-Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in the shade 01 Black, plus a full-size L'Absolu Rouge Drama Matte Lipstick in the shade 82 Rouge Pigalle. What beauty lover wouldn't want to receive these gifts this holiday season?